TELEMETRY NETWORK FOR MONITORING QUALITY OF IRRIGATION WATER IN KAVALA (N.GREECE)

Abstract

In places where primary and secondary economic sectors are significant proportion of local economy, the quantity and quality of irrigation water has not only environmental but also economical and social affects in local society. A rational management of water resources demands reliable and quick information of the quality of irrigation water especially during summer. The monthly scheduled samplings that are usually followed by the state services in some cases are not adequate. A telemetry network of four stations for real-time monitoring the quality of irrigation water was designed by Directorate of Land Reclamation/Prefecture of Kavala. It covers the most important agricultural areas of prefecture, including the island of Thassos. Stations are equipped with modern and robust instrumentation (multiparameter sensors, data loggers, modems, ups, sophisticated software, etc) to measure physicochemical characteristics of surface and ground water. The records are 24 hours a day and they are transmitted via GPRS. It consists an innovative initiative for local authorities to have the ability of real-time information about the quality of irrigation water and hereupon plan their actions. The system is expected to provide useful scientific data and an effective tool towards a policy of rational management of local water resources.